Love and Theft is a bit different from the group that scored a Top 10 hit two years ago with “Runaway.” But the changes that have affected the group—most notably, signing with RCA Records and downsizing to a duo—have actually brought Love and Theft closer to what it originally set out to be: a band that writes, records and performs honest, soulful country music.

While Stephen Barker Liles and Eric Gunderson are proud of their successful first effort, they are excited to have teamed with producer Josh Leo (Alabama, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band) on their RCA effort. “We love performing” says Stephen. “The way we are recording now is the way our influences made records: live with a band. It’s a lot more organic.”.”

Eric’s earthy voice is the perfect complement to Stephen’s high-altitude tenor. The guys happily share lead vocals, harmonize like a church choir, and bolster their band with their own guitar work. “Stephen and I have always been on the same page as far as the vision for Love and Theft and what we want it to be,” says Eric. “We feel like we have made the record we’ve always wanted to make.”

Stephen and Eric’s experiences growing up in the Bible Belt help inform the new album, especially on the wild-child single "Angel Eyes," which Eric co-wrote with Eric Paslay and Jeff Coplan. "Preacher’s kids seem to have the most rebellious side and get in trouble more," Eric admits with a laugh. "That was kind of the inspiration for that. We wrote it from a personal place."

"Town Drunk," written by Natalie Hemby and Daniel Tashian, is equally personal to the guys. The heart-wrenching ballad chronicles in stark detail the effects of a father’s alcoholism on his daughter. "When they played it for us, I started crying about halfway through because it reminded me of my mom’s dad, my grandfather," Stephen says. "He died an alcoholic and I never really had a relationship with him. It hit close to home for me." "It was a no-brainer as soon as we heard it," Eric adds. "That song had to be on the album."

The pair is equally enthusiastic about "Runnin’ Out of Air," a tune they describe as "Maroon 5 meets the Eagles," and "Thinking of You (and Me)," which explores the gray area in a guy-and-girl friendship. "Some of my first girlfriends started out as friends," Eric recalls. "You didn’t want to cross that line and risk hurting someone’s feelings. But if I didn’t take that chance, I never would have fallen in love with them."

The result is a nod to the duo’s varied influences. “She’s Amazing” evokes the brilliant harmonies of the Eagles. The seductive “Amen” channels all the yearning of Roy Orbison. And the rollicking first single “Angel Eyes” brings to mind Elvis Presley’s “(You’re the) Devil in Disguise.”